Peptide synthesis instrumentation

ABSTRACT

A peptide synthesis instrument can be used for small scale peptide synthesis. The instrument can include several unique features, including a compression style reaction vessel permitting quick setup of the reaction vessel, a double reaction vessel system permitting efficient mixing without loss of solvent or solvent-to-resin contact, gravity-fed heated reservoirs establishing a fixed volume for delivery to the reaction vessel, fume-free solvent addition permitting solvent addition to fixed bottles, and an improved amino acid manifold assembly which reduces the number of components and increases the ease of use of the instrument. Each of these features improve upon the current state of the art in solid phase automated peptide synthesizers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/949,399, filed Oct. 28, 2020, the contents of which areherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to automated chemicalsynthesis. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to anautomated peptide synthesizer for small scale peptide synthesis.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

Peptide synthesis refers to the production of peptides, compounds wheremultiple amino acids are linked via peptide bonds. Peptides arechemically synthesized by the condensation reaction of the carboxylgroup of one amino acid to the amino group of another. Chemical peptidesynthesis most commonly starts at the carboxyl end of the peptide(C-terminus) and proceeds toward the amino-terminus (N-terminus).

The chemical synthesis of peptides can be carried out using classicalsolution-phase techniques, as well as solid-phase methods. Oneestablished method for the production of synthetic peptides in the labis known as solid-phase peptide synthesis which allows the rapidassembly of a peptide chain through successive reactions of amino acidderivatives on an insoluble porous support. Since the peptide underconstruction remains covalently attached to the support throughout thesynthesis, excess reagents and side products can be removed by washingand filtration.

There is a need, however, for improvements to known automated peptidesynthesizers, including those addressed by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a reaction vessel for achemical synthesis device comprising a hollow tubular body; a firstfilter disposed at a first end of the hollow tubular body; a cap, suchas a threaded cap, fitting on a second end of the hollow tubular body; asecond filter disposed in the cap, where an interior region is definedbetween the first filter and the second filter when the cap is attachedon the second end of the hollow tubular body; a first tapered fitting onthe first end of the hollow tubular body providing fluid communicationfrom outside the reaction vessel to the interior region; and a secondtapered fitting on the cap providing fluid communication from outsidethe reaction vessel to the interior region.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a chemicalsynthesis device comprising a reaction vessel; a lower connectorconfigured to provide sealed engagement to a lower tapered fitting of areaction vessel; an upper connector configured to provide sealedengagement to an upper tapered fitting of the reaction vessel; a knobattached to the upper connector; and an upper connector path formed in ahousing of the chemical synthesis device, the upper connector pathpermitting movement of the knob and upper connector upward to disconnectthe upper connector from the upper tapered fitting, and downward to areaction vessel connection position where the upper connector engageswith the upper tapered fitting of the reaction vessel.

In some embodiments, the lower connector is movable downward against aresilient force, such as a force provided by one or more springs.

In some embodiments, the chemical synthesis device further comprises aforce application mechanism to provide a downward force to the knobupper connector, urging the upper connector to the reaction vesselconnection position. This force application mechanism can be a weightdisposed inside the housing.

In some embodiments, the upper connector path includes a verticalcomponent, permitting the upper connector to engage to and disengagefrom the upper tapered end, and a horizontal component, permitting theupper connector to be maintained in a non-engagement position with theupper connector disengaged from the upper tapered end.

In some embodiments, the chemical synthesis device further comprises aheating element configured to provide heat to one or more reactionvessel holding arms. Embodiments of the present invention also provide aquick-connect system for a reaction vessel comprising a lower connectorconfigured to provide sealed engagement to a lower tapered fitting ofthe reaction vessel; an upper connector configured to provide sealedengagement to an upper tapered fitting of the reaction vessel; a knobattached to the upper connector; and an upper connector path formed in ahousing, the upper connector path permitting movement of the knob andupper connector upward to disconnect the upper connector from the uppertapered fitting, and downward to a reaction vessel connection positionwhere the upper connector engages with the upper tapered fitting of thereaction vessel.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an exampleand are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, inwhich like references may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a chemical synthesis instrumentaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the chemical synthesis instrument ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the chemical synthesis instrument ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 illustrates a reaction vessel usable in the chemical synthesisinstrument of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of a double action compressionreaction vessel connection mechanism usable on the chemical synthesisinstrument of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed view of the double action compressionreaction vessel connection mechanism of FIG. 5 with a base portionremoved therefrom;

FIG. 7 illustrates detailed side view of the chemical synthesisinstrument of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed front view of an upper connection of thedouble action compression reaction vessel connection mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 illustrates a partially exploded view of the reaction vesselremoved from the double action compression reaction vessel connectionmechanism of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic representation of a double reactionvessel system usable in the chemical synthesis instrument of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 11 illustrates a back view of the chemical synthesis instrument ofFIG. 1 with the back housing removed;

FIG. 12 illustrates a detailed back view of the chemical synthesisinstrument of FIG. 1 , highlighting the second chamber of the doublereaction vessel system of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 13 illustrates a gravity fed reservoir for solvent delivery usablein the chemical synthesis instrument of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 illustrates a fume-free solvent refill connection usable in thechemical synthesis instrument of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 15 illustrates a top perspective view of a manifold assembly usablein the chemical synthesis instrument of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 16 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the manifold assemblyof FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed front view of a vial disassembled fromthe manifold assembly of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 18 illustrates a detailed view of the threaded connection forconnecting vials to the manifold assembly of FIG. 15 ; and

FIG. 19 illustrates a partially exploded view of the manifold assemblyof FIG. 15 , illustrating a block of the second manifold removedtherefrom, and a cover of the first manifold removed therefrom.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understoodby turning to the following detailed description wherein illustratedembodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that theillustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way oflimitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OFINVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number oftechniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefitand each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in somecases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sakeof clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possiblecombination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with theunderstanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theinvention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many carefulconsiderations and compromises typically must be made when designing forthe optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system,and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. Acommercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings ofthe present invention may be configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a peptidesynthesis instrument that can be used for small scale peptide synthesis.The instrument can include several unique features, including acompression style reaction vessel permitting quick setup of the reactionvessel, a double reaction vessel system permitting efficient mixingwithout loss of solvent or solvent-to-resin contact, gravity-fed heatedreservoirs establishing a fixed volume for delivery to the reactionvessel, fume-free solvent addition permitting solvent addition to fixedbottles, and an improved amino acid manifold assembly which reduces thenumber of components and increases the ease of use of the instrument.Each of these features improve upon the current state of the art insolid phase automated peptide synthesizers.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3 , a peptide synthesis instrument 10, alsoreferred to as instrument 10, can include a plurality of solvent bottles12 at least partially disposed in a housing 24 of the instrument 10. Insome embodiments, as described in greater detail below, at least one ofthe solvent bottles 12 can be fixed to the housing and can be providedwith a gasket 22 that retains the solvent bottles 12 in place. Suchgaskets 22 prevent rotation of the solvent bottles 12, thus permittingthe bottle caps 26 to be removed or applied with a single hand, forexample.

The instrument 10 can include a reaction vessel attachment location 28,where a reaction vessel 20 can be attached. A mechanism 14, as describedin greater detail below, can be used for compression connection of thereaction vessel 20 to the instrument 10. As described in greater detailbelow, the mechanism 14 can be a dual action compression mechanism forattachment of the reaction vessel 20.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a reaction vessel 20 can include an interiorregion 30 with a filter 32 at a bottom portion thereof. The filter 32can be designed to prevent solid phase material, such as resin, frommoving therethrough, while allowing solvent or solubilized reagent toflow therethrough. A cap 36, such as a threaded cap, may removably fit,via threads 38, on an upper end of the reaction vessel 20. The cap 36may fit on the upper end of the reaction vessel 20 in other manners aswell, such as a friction fit, a snap fit, a luer lock-type connection,or the like. The cap 36 can include a filter 34 therein, similar indesign and function as filter 32. When the cap 36 is removed, a user hasaccess to the interior region 30. When the cap is applied on thereaction vessel 20, an upper tapered end 40 of the cap 36 provides fluidcommunication, through the filter 34, to the interior region 30. A lowertapered end 42 can provide fluid communication, through the filter 32,to the interior region 30.

Conventional methods for connecting a reaction vessel to a peptidesynthesis instrument includes threaded ends. Embodiments of the presentinvention provide tapered ends 40, 42 to allow for quick setup of thereaction vessel 20 into the instrument 10, as described in greaterdetail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 9 , detailed views illustration thecompression mechanism 14 is shown. The reaction vessel 20, with itstapered ends 40, 42 (see FIG. 4 ) can be compression fitted into a lowerconnector 52 and an upper connector 50. Arms 44 can secure the reactionvessel 20 in position. The arms 42 can be heated by the instrument 10,via known methods, to heat the reaction vessel 20, as needed.

A knob 48 can be provided to lift the upper connector 50 off of theupper tapered end 40 of the cap 36, as best illustrated in FIG. 8 . Aweight 56 may be provided, typically behind the housing 24, to provide adownward force to the upper connector 50 into the upper tapered end 40.Of course, other methods of providing a downward force may be used, suchas springs, bands, pneumatic pressure, or the like.

The knob 48 may be first moved in a generally upward direction, as shownin FIG. 8 , to separate the upper connector 50 from the upper taperedend 40. The knob 48 may then move generally horizontally and thenslightly downward along a track 58. The slightly downward trajectory maybe used to retain the knob 48 (and the connected upper connector 50)from inadvertently moving back into the engaged configuration (as shownin FIG. 5 , for example).

FIG. 6 illustrates a reaction vessel foot 46 removed to illustrate thelower connector 52. Springs 54, or other similar resiliently deformablemeans, can be used to provide an upward force on the lower connector 52,urging the lower connector 52 toward the lower tapered end 42 of thereaction vessel 20. The combined loaded forces of the weight 56 and thesprings 54 can ensure even pressure at both ends to make the appropriateseals between the upper connector 50 and the upper tapered end 40 aswell as between the lower connector 52 and the lower tapered end 42.

Referring to FIGS. 10 through 12 , a double reaction vessel system 60 isshown. There is a need for adequate mixing within the reaction vessel toensure solvent to resin contact and result in chemical efficiency.Nitrogen bubbling is a typical method of mixing, as no mechanicalmovement is required to perform this mixing. However, in every reactionvessel, filters are needed at the top and the bottom to hold the resininside the reaction vessel chamber (the interior region 30 of reactionvessel 20, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 4 , for example),while allowing solvents and reaction solutions to be transferred in andout.

When bubbling with nitrogen, more vigorously bubbling is required toensure good mixing. However, more vigorous bubbling can push solvent outof the reaction vessel, through the filter, and into the waste. Anotherproblem with conventional systems is that, when bubbling with nitrogen,the resin can stick on the top portion of the reaction vessel, thusreducing solvent to resin contact with that stuck resin.

The double reaction vessel system 60 can include a first chamber 62,which can be the reaction vessel for peptide synthesis. In someembodiments, the first chamber 62 can be reaction chamber 20, asdescribed above. A valve mechanism 64 can permit nitrogen flow 66 toenter the first chamber 62, can permit waste 68 to exit the firstchamber 62 and can permit solvent and/or reagents 70 to enter the firstchamber 62.

The upper end 72 of the first chamber 62 can connect to a lower end 74of a second chamber 76. When vigorous bubbling is provided in the firstchamber 62, any solvent pushed out can be collected in the secondchamber 76. This overflow solvent can be pushed back into the firstchamber 62 (the reaction vessel) via a nitrogen pressure 78, forexample. This can both 1) replace the overflow solvent/reagent, and 2)un-stick any resin that may be stuck to the top of the first chamber 62due to the vigorous bubbling.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , the double reaction vessel system 60 isshown installed in instrument 10 from a back view with a portion of thehousing removed for clarity. A connector 80 may pass lines through thehousing to permit connection with the upper end 72 of the first chamber62. Connection tubes 82 may be used to connect to the lower end 74 ofthe second chamber 76. Additional valving and tubing, as illustrated inFIG. 9 , is not shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 for clarity.

Referring to FIG. 13 , a gravity fed reservoir system 90 is shown.Solvent delivery to the reaction vessel needs to be measured to aspecific amount and then delivered to the reaction vessel. This can beperformed in various ways that involve pumps, sensors for measurement,calibrated timed delivery and gas pressure.

According to aspects of the present invention, the gravity fed reservoirsystem 90 can use gravity fed reservoirs 92 with valves 94, 96 thatestablish the fixed volume for delivery. The gravity fed reservoir 92can have an inlet 108 on the top and bottom connected to the valves 94,96, typically three-way valves, as illustrated. The bottom valve 96 canbe connected to nitrogen pressure 98 and a solvent reservoir (such assolvent bottle 12) via line 100. The normal path for the valve 96 is toallow the solvent reservoir to fill the gravity fed reservoir 92, wherethe normal path for the valve 94 is to permit the solvent to fill thereservoir 92 and extend out through line 102 back toward the bottle 12.

To deliver the solvent from the gravity fed reservoir 92 to the reactionvessel, the valve 96 is opened and nitrogen pressure 98 is delivered,pushing the fixed volume between the two valves 94, 96, where the valve94 can open to permit the fixed volume to be delivered to the reactionvessel. Upon release, both valves 94, 96 are returned to their normalposition, as described above, to permit the solvent reservoir to refillthe loop and the gravity fed reservoir 92.

In some embodiments, the solvent fed reservoir 92 can be enclosed in aheating mechanism 104 to permit pre-heated solvent to be delivered tothe reaction vessel. The heating mechanism 104 can be, for example, anenclosed block with a heading cartridge, induction heating via aninduction coil with a metal gravity fed reservoir, induction heatingwith metal balls 106 disposed in the gravity fed reservoir 92, or thelike. In some embodiments, a quantity of metal balls within the gravityfed reservoir 92 can be used to control the volume of solvent deliveredto the reaction vessel.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 14 , as discussed above, the solvent bottles 12may be held in place with a gasket 22 that prevents rotation of thesolvent bottle 12 when the cap 26 is turned. Conventional peptidesynthesizers have solvent bottles that are used to feed the system toperform peptide synthesis. To refill the bottles, the user can unscrewthe bottle, bring the bottle to a fume hood, and refill the bottle inthe fume hood. Optionally, a user can unscrew the bottle and use afunnel to pour the solvent directly in place where the peptidesynthesizer is located. Solvents used in peptide synthesis, such aspiperidine, can be odorous and a lacrimator.

According to aspects of the present invention, with the solvent bottles12 fixed in place, the cap 26 can be removed single-handedly by a userand a fume-free solvent addition accessory 110 can be used to safely andeasily transfer solvent into the solvent bottles 12. The accessory 110can include a cap 116 that matches the cap 26 of the solvent bottles 12.The cap 116 can include an insert 118 with two holes. First tubing 120and second tubing 122 can extend from the cap 116 to a second cap 112with an insert 114, similar to insert 118, with two holes. The tubing120, 122 can extend through the holes in the inserts 114, 118. The cap112 can connect to a refill bottle.

The first tubing 120 can extend a length 126 beyond the insert 114 to gointo the refill bottle and to be present in an air space in the refillbottle when the refill bottle is turned upside down to refill thesolvent bottle 12. The second tubing 122 can extend only slightly pastthe insert 114 to provide solvent flow out of the refill bottle. Firsttubing 120 and second tubing 122, at the solvent bottle 12, can extendjust into the insert 118 on the cap 116. Thus, refill solvent can passfrom the refill bottle via second tubing 122 and a venting flow can movefrom the solvent bottle 12 being refilled, back into the refill bottlevia first tubing 120. In some embodiments, the tubing 120, 122 mayextend beyond a predetermined distance from the insert 118 to provide alimit on the amount of solvent that can be transferred into the solventbottle 12. The solvent bottle 12 is shown away from the instrument 10,but it should be understood that refilling can occur at the instrument10, without fear of spillage or solvent fume release.

Referring to FIGS. 15 through 19 , an amino acid manifold 16 is shown.Currently, individual bottles, individual gaskets, individual caps andindividual inserts, with the respective lines to an individual valve,with its respective individual fittings and tubing, are used to deliversolvent from that bottle to another reservoir.

According to aspects of the present invention, a manifold 16, alsoreferred to as a manifold assembly 16, can include a first manifold 130and a second manifold 132. The first manifold 130 can include aplurality of ports 140 with threaded counter bores 142 that allow vials18 to screw directly into the first manifold 130. The threaded counterbore 142 can include a conical feature 144 that seals the vial 18 to theinterface without the need for a gasket. Two lines 146, 148 can extendthrough conical feature 144 to enter the vial 18. One line 146 isconfigured for moving solution from the vial 18. The other line 148provides venting/an inert gas to the vial 18. The first manifold 130permits the vials 18 to be attached thereto with a single hand while notrequiring any additional support.

The second manifold 132 allows for all the valves 134 to be screwed intoa single manifold assembly. The second manifold 132 directs the flow offluidics for the first manifold 130. The second manifold 132 can includea fluid flow channel 138 and a vent/inert gas channel 136. In operation,the appropriate valve 134 can actuate to remove a portion of thecontents of a vial 18 into the fluid flow channel 138 and such fluid canbe delivered to the reaction chamber, as appropriate. The vent/inert gaschannel 136 can be connected, for example, to a nitrogen gas source toprovide inert gas supply to each vial as contents are removed therefrom.

A plurality of manifold assemblies 16 can be used in the instrument 10.As shown in FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, three manifold assemblies 16 canbe used, providing for the use of up to thirty different amino acidreagents.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples andthat they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined bythe following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that theelements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, itmust be expressly understood that the invention includes othercombinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and itsvarious embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of theircommonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in thisspecification the generic structure, material or acts of which theyrepresent a single species.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,therefore, defined in this specification to not only include thecombination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense itis therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or moreelements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below orthat a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in aclaim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expresslyunderstood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can insome cases be excised from the combination and that the claimedcombination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of asubcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specificallyillustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, whatcan be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essentialidea of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chemical synthesis device comprising: areaction vessel; a lower connector configured to provide sealedengagement to a lower tapered fitting of the reaction vessel; an upperconnector configured to provide sealed engagement to an upper taperedfitting of the reaction vessel; a knob attached to the upper connector;and an upper connector path formed in a housing of the chemicalsynthesis device, the upper connector path permitting movement of theknob and upper connector upward to disconnect the upper connector fromthe upper tapered fitting, and downward to a reaction vessel connectionposition where the upper connector engages with the upper taperedfitting of the reaction vessel.
 2. The chemical synthesis device ofclaim 1, wherein the lower connector is movable downward against aresilient force.
 3. The chemical synthesis device of claim 2, whereinthe resilient force is provided by one or more springs.
 4. The chemicalsynthesis device of claim 1, further comprising a force applicationmechanism to provide a downward force to the knob upper connector,urging the upper connector to the reaction vessel connection position.5. The chemical synthesis device of claim 4, wherein the forceapplication mechanism is a weight disposed inside the housing.
 6. Thechemical synthesis device of claim 1, wherein the upper connector pathincludes a vertical component, permitting the upper connector to engageto and disengage from the upper tapered end, and a horizontal component,permitting the upper connector to be maintained in a non-engagementposition with the upper connector disengaged from the upper tapered end.7. The chemical synthesis device of claim 1, further comprising aheating element configured to provide heat to one or more reactionvessel holding arms.
 8. The chemical synthesis device of claim 1,wherein the reaction vessel comprises: a hollow tubular body; a firstfilter disposed at a first end of the hollow tubular body; a capremovably fitting on a second end of the hollow tubular body; and asecond filter disposed in the cap, where an interior region is definedbetween the first filter and the second filter when the cap is attachedon the second end of the hollow tubular body, wherein the first taperedis fitted on the first end of the hollow tubular body providing fluidcommunication from outside the reaction vessel to the interior region;and the second tapered is fitted on the cap providing fluidcommunication from outside the reaction vessel to the interior region.9. The chemical synthesis device of claim 8, wherein the hollow tubularbody has a uniform cross-section along a length thereof.
 10. Thechemical synthesis device of claim 8, wherein the hollow tubular bodyhas an increasing cross-sectional diameter from the first end to thesecond end.
 11. The chemical synthesis device of claim 1, furthercomprising a valve mechanism fluidly connected to the lower connector,the valve mechanism permitting at least one of a gas flow, a reagentflow and a solvent flow to move into the reaction vessel.
 12. Thechemical synthesis device of claim 11, further comprising a solventheating device operable to warm solvent before being flowed to the valvemechanism.
 13. A quick-connect system for a reaction vessel comprising:a lower connector configured to provide sealed engagement to a lowertapered fitting of the reaction vessel; an upper connector configured toprovide sealed engagement to an upper tapered fitting of the reactionvessel; a knob attached to the upper connector; and an upper connectorpath formed in a housing, the upper connector path permitting movementof the knob and upper connector upward to disconnect the upper connectorfrom the upper tapered fitting, and downward to a reaction vesselconnection position where the upper connector engages with the uppertapered fitting of the reaction vessel.
 14. The quick-connect system ofclaim 13, wherein the lower connector is movable downward against aresilient force.
 15. The chemical synthesis device of claim 14, whereinthe resilient force is provided by one or more springs.
 16. The chemicalsynthesis device of claim 13, further comprising a force applicationmechanism to provide a downward force to the knob upper connector,urging the upper connector to the reaction vessel connection position.17. The chemical synthesis device of claim 16, wherein the forceapplication mechanism is a weight disposed inside the housing.
 18. Thechemical synthesis device of claim 13, wherein the upper connector pathincludes a vertical component, permitting the upper connector to engageto and disengage from the upper tapered end, and a horizontal component,permitting the upper connector to be maintained in a non-engagementposition with the upper connector disengaged from the upper tapered end.19. A chemical synthesis device comprising: a housing defining aninterior portion of the chemical synthesis device and an exteriorportion of the chemical synthesis device; a reaction vessel mountable atthe exterior portion; a lower connector configured to provide sealedengagement to a lower tapered fitting of the reaction vessel; an upperconnector configured to provide sealed engagement to an upper taperedfitting of the reaction vessel; a knob attached to the upper connector,the knob accessible at the exterior portion; and an upper connector pathprovided as a cutout in the housing of the chemical synthesis device,the upper connector path permitting movement of the knob and upperconnector upward to disconnect the upper connector from the uppertapered fitting, and downward to a reaction vessel connection positionwhere the upper connector engages with the upper tapered fitting of thereaction vessel.
 20. The chemical synthesis device of claim 19, furthercomprising a force application mechanism to provide a downward force tothe knob upper connector, urging the upper connector to the reactionvessel connection position, wherein the force application mechanism isdisposed at the interior portion.